Analysis of Racial and Ethnic Differences in Interbirth Spacing Across Texas [ID 1184]

INTRODUCTION: Black and Hispanic women in Texas experience disproportionately poor maternal and neonatal outcomes. Interdelivery interval (IDI) measures the time between consecutive live births. Research suggests that both short (less than 18 months) and long IDIs (greater than 60 months) are linked to a higher risk of adverse birth outcomes. The study aims to analyze the racial differences in IDIs in Texas. METHODS: This cross-sectional retrospective analysis utilized CDC WONDER’s natality data and examined Texas births from 2020 to 2022. Interdelivery interval was categorized into four groups: shortest (4–17 months), short (18–35 months), recommended (36–60 months), and long (61+ months). Chi-squared and ANOVA tests were conducted to assess statistically significant differences by race and ethnicity. RESULTS: The study included 1,022,002 participants. Black, Hispanic, and American Indian mothers gave birth at the recommended IDI least frequently. Black mothers had higher frequencies of the shortest (14%) and short (31%) IDIs, whereas Hispanic mothers most frequently had long intervals (35%) ( P <.001). Mothers with the shortest IDIs were younger, experienced lower birth weights, and had less prenatal visits. Asian mothers were, on average, older with lower prepregnancy body mass index. Black mothers had the lowest average number of prenatal visits and birth weights ( P <.05). CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: More Black and Hispanic mothers experienced IDIs outside the recommended window. Mothers with the shortest IDIs had fewer prenatal visits, highlighting the need for increased access to prenatal care and tailored preconception education. Continuously monitoring IDI in Texas and comparing it with the national level are also recommended.